Human trafficking, also called trafficking in persons, form of modern-day slavery involving the illegal transport of individuals by force or deception for the purpose of labour, sexual exploitation, or activities in which others benefit financially. Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. The traffickers often use violence or fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims. Also, there have been large numbers of cases from India wherein young children from poor families lured into trap of “Domestic Servanthood” by promising their parents monetary security with education and good life for children at owner/master’s household. Like many other countries in the world, India too has become a den as well as a victim of Human Trafficking.
International Human Trafficking
“Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar growth industry because, unlike drugs, which are gone as soon as they are used, humans can be recycled. Because they can continue to be exploited, they’re a better investment for traffickers.”
~ Terry Coonan
International human trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world. It occurs when people are moved across borders. International trafficking differs from domestic trafficking in which persons are trafficked within a country. There is significant, although still insufficient knowledge about the activities of human traffickers and a range of policy options exist at the national and international levels to address this problem. Human traffickers prey on people who are poor, isolated and weak. Issues such as displacement, social exclusion and economic vulnerability are the result of policies and practices that marginalize entire groups of people and make them particularly vulnerable to being trafficked. Individuals are vulnerable to being trafficked not only because of conditions in their countries of origin.
The battle against human trafficking requires the development of coherent, multilayered strategies. International human trafficking is usually classified as either labour trafficking or sex trafficking. Although the two often intersect, the movement of a person is not necessary for an act to constitute trafficking, both forms of trafficking often include migration in search of economic opportunity and this is why international human trafficking – in which the victim has crossed a nation’s borders is so prevalent. Trafficking is simply a means to provide ‘labour’ to those willing to ‘pay’ for it. People are made to move to work, in exploitative or slavery-like conditions. Trafficking provides a supply, but it also increase people’s vulnerability and makes them less likely to complain, escape or lobby for improved conditions by taking them out of the protected realm and either literally enthrall them or, more commonly, dangling the economic “freedom” in front of them.
Trafficked people are pushed into the dirty, dangerous and undesirable industries for which their destination country requires labour. Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them from all backgrounds, can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. Human trafficking is an issue of major international discussions and concerns. Because it involves transnational movement of people, one important related area of debate is migration policy. Human trafficking is a crime against individuals and its consequences are most directly felt by those who are its victims. Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that knows no international borders. More than 130 countries are affected by human trafficking. The traffickers often use violence or fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.
International law which has been created by the states and is predominantly reactive. Many problems need to be recognized first as an international problem to originate some type of policy making leading to the development of relevant international laws- making and cooperation. The majority of the existing provisions under international law are included in treaty law. Trafficking may be on the role as the global demand for labour decreases due to the worldwide economic recession, individuals from impoverished regions find themselves in dire situation and are willing to take greater risks and desperate for ‘any’ work without the consideration of fair wages. In 2004, in an effort to combat criminal networks that defy borders, the United Nations ratified the “The convention against transnational organised crime and the protocols thereto”. International guidelines now clarify the rights of trafficked persons under existing international law. Intergovernmental agencies and non-governmental organizations have issued a range of good practice guidelines concerning assistance and care so that identified trafficked persons can be transferred to safe places to receive a variety of services, including physical and psychological care, legal assistance, shelter and protection.
The United Nations established the convention to present a united front against the transnational criminal problems facing the world’s citizens, especially human trafficking. International human trafficking is an abhorrent trade that destroys lives, tears apart families and communities and destroys the social fabric of countries throughout the world. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the United Nations and developed countries such as the United States continue to spearhead global efforts to prevent trafficking by persecuting traffickers and assisting the victim. The U.N. protocol and the United States are productive steps; however, there is always more that could be done. The United States must lead the efforts to end trafficking by demonstrating a greater commitment to protecting victims, not just prevention and prosecution. International human trafficking is a pervasive evil that does not respect borders, populations, or customs. Although institutionalized slavery has been mostly wiped out, Human trafficking is a more clandestine form of slavery that is global problem and can only be stopped with a united, global response.
I finally conclude my article with the words of Thucydides, he said, “It may be your interest to be our masters, but how can it be ours to be your slaves”? The golden words of this Athenian Historian, Military General and Philosopher transcended the boundaries of Time and Space and made themselves relevant to today’s world of ours where Man-who himself entrapped in the prison of lust, greed, power and ignorance still cherish, love and enjoy enslaving the other.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Aienla A, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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